Ella and "The Little Matador"Everybody is good at something.

And if people are lucky, they have family and friends who support their talents and interests.

But, sometimes, that doesn’t happen.

Such is the case for the little matador, the hero in Julian Hector’s picture book The Little Matador (Hyperion Books, 2008). His parents are famous bullfighters, and they want him to follow in their footsteps.

But the little matador doesn’t see the point. He’d much prefer to draw — especially animals. And he’s good at drawing, too. His parents try to dissuade him, but when he persists in drawing, they march him down to the stadium so he can face his first bull.

What happens then? Let’s hear from Ella, today’s guest reviewer.

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Today’s review: Ella

Age: 8

Things I like to do: Swim, play tennis and ride my bike.

This book was about: A little matador whose parents want him to bullfight. He wants to draw instead.

The best part was when: The bull frog was acting like, “He’s stronger than ME?”

I smiled when: The animals posed so the little matador could draw them.

I was surprised when: The little matador wouldn’t fight the bull. I would have run if it was me. Bull horns can hurt.

This book taught me: You should do what you want. You should be what you want.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Funny.” “Creative.” “Happy.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “After all, nobody wants to see a matador draw.”

My favorite picture in this book is: When the bull is charging at the little matador.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The little matador’s drawings.

You should read this book because: It’s funny. I think other kids would like it a lot.

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 Thanks, Ella!

Julian Hector wrote the text and drew the illustrations for this book. Want to learn more about him? You can:

Official disclaimer:

Oh, by the way, I won this nifty book in a giveaway sponsored by Mike Jung, a book blogger whose own book – Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities – comes out this fall from Arthur A. Levine Books. Once it’s released you really should get a copy. I’m just saying.